listlessness

- 3 dictionary results

list⋅less

[list-lis]

–adjective

having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent: a listless mood; a listless handshake.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME lystles. See list ⁴ , -less

Related forms:

list⋅less⋅ly, adverb

list⋅less⋅ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To listlessness

list·less (lĭst'lĭs)

adj. Lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic: reacted to the latest crisis with listless resignation.

[Middle English listles : probably from liste, desire (from listen, to desire; see list⁵) + -les, -lesse, -less.]
list'less·ly adv., list'less·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

listless

c.1440, from M.E. liste "pleasure, joy, delight," from O.E. lystan, from P.Gmc. *lustijanan "pleasure" (cf. Du. lusten, Ger. lüsten, O.N. lysta), from the same root as O.E. lust "desire" (see lust).

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